Best Cheese Platter Recipes

ELEGANT CHEESE AND FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• On large serving platter, arrange cheeses in center. Cover; let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes.
• Arrange fresh fruit in groups around cheeses. Sprinkle dried apricots and cherries over cheeses and fruit. Tuck rosemary sprigs among fruit.
• To serve, provide cheese planes for harder cheeses and cheese spreaders for soft cheeses. If desired, serve cheeses and fruit with crackers.

CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Go to the best cheese shop in town and ask the person at the counter which cheeses are ready to serve. Taste everything; they expect you to. We all know that the Brie may look terrific, but it can be underripe and tough or overripe and ammoniated. You want only the freshest cheeses that are perfectly ripened. Take them home, refrigerate them, and then bring them to room temperature a few hours before serving.
• Second, be sure to have a platter or wooden board that is flat and large enough to hold the cheeses without crowding them. Arrange the cheeses with the cut sides facing out, and with several small cheese knives, maybe one for each type of cheese.
• Third, to finish the platter, add sliced breads or crackers, and green leaves. I use either lemon or galax leaves, which you can get from your florist. If you have a garden, any large flat leaf like hydrangea looks beautiful, but be sure they aren't poisonous and are pesticide-free!
• Overall, the simpler the design, the better the platter looks. Group each kind of cheese together and add one large bunch of green or red grapes in the center to create a visual focal point. Fill in the spaces with lots of crackers or small slices of bread.

FRUIT AND CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Line a wooden board or flat dish with fig leaves and artfully arrange the goat cheese, grapes, preserves and crackers on top.
• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Place the oats, flour, brown sugar, and kosher salt in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse for 45 to 60 seconds, until the oats are coarsely ground. Add the butter and pulse 15 to 20 times, until the butter is the size of peas.
• Dissolve the baking soda in the lukewarm water and drizzle it over the crumbs in the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is evenly moistened and can be pressed into balls that will hold together.
• With a medium (1 3/4-inch) ice cream scoop or two spoons, scoop the dough into your hands and roll them into round balls. Evenly space 12 balls on the prepared sheet pans. Flour the bottom of a flat-bottomed 3-inch-diameter drinking glass and use it to flatten each cracker to 1/8 inch thick and about 3 inches in diameter. The crackers will not be perfectly round. If there is a lot of flour on the crackers, turn them over with a metal spatula. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown on the edges. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• "Cooking for Jeffrey" by Ina Garten © Clarkson Potter 2016. Provided courtesy of Ina Garten. All rights reserved.

DELI MEAT AND CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange meat and cheese on large platter.
• Serve immediately. Or, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

PARTY PLATTER CHEESE TRAY

Steps:

• Arrange cheese, crackers and fruit on serving platter.

FRUIT AND CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Choose a large round or rectangular tray, along with a small round cutting board or ceramic tile. Set the cutting board or tile on the tray for the cheese wedges. Allow cheese to stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Quarter the pineapple, cut out the fruit and cut into wedges. Use the rind as a "basket" on the tray for the fruit wedges. Place the melon cubes on the tray on bay leaves. Arrange grape clusters on the tray.

ULTIMATE CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange the fig leaves in a single layer on a 16- to 18-inch diameter round board or platter.
• Place the grapes in the center of the board. Arrange the cheeses on the board around the grapes, cut sides facing out.
• Nestle the strawberries between two of the cheeses to create a block of color. Nestle the apricots between two of the cheeses, also creating a block of color. Transfer the fig jam to a bowl and place it on the board. Arrange the crackers on the board around the cheeses. If using, place the fig ball on the board, cut sides up.

KITTENCAL'S VEGETABLE PLATTER WITH BLUE CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• For the dip; in a food processor combine all ingredients except Tabasco, buttermilk and veggies until smooth (adjusting the processing time for a smooth or semi-chunky texture).
• Add in buttermilk, start with 1 tablespoon adding in more until desired consistency is achieved.
• Add in Tabasco to taste and adjust ingredients to taste if desired.
• Place the dip in a round glass serving bowl; cover and refrigerate for minimum 3 hours.
• TO ASSEMBLE; place 1 to 2 lettuce leaves in the center of a extra large serving platter, then place the dip bowl onto the leaves.
• Arrange each veggie around the edges of an extra large round serving platter, place bread sticks in between each pile of veggies to separate.

FRUIT AND CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix spread ingredients. set in the middle of a decorative platter. Arrange the wedge of rouqefort, the wheels of brie and the port du salut on a decorative platter. Surround with the fruits. Serve the pears and peaches whole, the oranges segmented. Leave the tops of the berries on. Have dessert plates for all, and knives, napkins etc. Put the baguette on a bread board. Arrange the cracker on their own plate. Serve with a good dessert wine or Champagne!

PICKLED PEARS & CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Put the vinegar, sugar and spices into a large saucepan with 500ml of water. Heat gently to melt the sugar. Meanwhile, peel the pears, halve, then scoop out the core with a teaspoon or melon-baller. Add the pears to the pan, they should be just about covered with the liquid, then bring to a simmer for 25-30 mins. Test the pears with a tip of a knife - they should be just tender. Lift out with a slotted spoon and put into a large Kilner jar or a few smaller ones. Boil the liquid down to about 600ml, then pour over the pears to cover. Seal and store in the fridge for up to a week, before serving.
• On Christmas Day, remove the pears from the fridge so they come up to room temperature. To serve, thickly slice and toast the bread and slice the cheese into thin wedges. Lift the pears from the jar and layer up with the cheese on a large platter or board, then scatter with some leaves. Serve with the bread.

CHEESE AND BREAD PLATTER

Steps:

• Line a large round platter with fig leaves. Place the bunch of grapes in the center of the platter and arrange the wedges of Cheddar, Tremblay, and Danish Blue Cheese around the grapes. Pour the fig jam into a ramekin and add a small spoon for serving. Arrange the ramekin and crackers between two of the cheeses. Pile dried apricots together between two of the cheeses. Place the slices of Brown Bread between the remaining cheeses and fill in any gaps on the platter with additional apricots.

HAM & CHEESE PARTY PLATTER LEFTOVER BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• While putting away the party leftovers --
• Grease 13x9 pan with butter; spread bread/bun cubes over entire bottom of pan (use more or fewer buns if using a larger/smaller pan).
• Sprinkle ham pieces and cheese slices over bread; set aside.
• Mix eggs and milk until frothy, add several squirts of mustard, beat and then pour over the ham, cheese, bread cubes.
• Customize the toppings to the eaters' choices. (Dad likes everything, but Mom doesn't want tomatoes, and DS would rather kiss a rattlesnake than eat onions, so let's make everyone happy!).
• Add another layer of leftover cheese; sprinkle sausage dices artfully (or optionally). Olive slices can go on now, too or any other little tidbits of really tasty niblets.
• Top pan with foil; chill until morning or leave on the counter if you're a brave soul.
• Next morning - pop pan in oven, set to 350*. Bake for 20-30 minutes, remove foil, bake for another 3-5 minutes until top is bubbly and "set".
• VARIATIONS: Use your favorite cheese, try turkey instead of ham.
• Great way to use up the cheese and sausage tray that was forgotten in the fridge!
• EXTRAS: black or green olives.
• Par-cook: stuff from the veggie tray (cauliflower, broccoli, carrots).
• DELISH: add a few smidgens (or a LOT!) of the veggie dip to the egg/custard bowl -- or drop on top in cheerful dollops. Oh yum!

HAM, COUNTRY PATE, AND CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange cheeses and pate on a cutting board or platter. Place cornichons and mustard in ramekins and add to board or platter. Wrap a slice of ham around each of several bread sticks and add to platter. Tuck in grapes among cheese and ham wrapped bread sticks. Add cut bread to the platter, soft cheese spreaders and a cheese knife and serve the board or platter by passing at the table.

CREAM CHEESE & CHUTNEY PLATTER

Steps:

• 1. With a mixer, beat cream cheese and then add cheddar cheese, sherry, curry powder and salt (if using).
• 2. Spread mixture on a serving platter about 1/2 inch thick. Chill until mixture is firm.
• 3. Just before serving, spread chutney over the top of the cream cheese mixture and sprinkle with chopped green ions. Serve with crackers.

ROASTED GRAPES FOR CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Place grapes in a plastic bag and drizzle with oil.
• Toss in the bag to coat evenly.
• Place on a baking sheet.
• Bake 10-15 minutes or until the color deepens and the skins just begin to split.
• Cool on a plate.

THE ABSURDIST (FRUIT AND CHEESE PLATTER CUPCAKES)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin pans with 18 to 19 cupcake liners.
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the eggs, orange juice, butter, and vegetable oil on medium speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Turn the mixer to medium-low speed, and add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Mix until just combined.
• Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full, and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• To assemble: Peel the cupcake away from its liner, and place upside down on the top of a new, fresh liner. The narrow end of the cupcake should be facing up at this point. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the Brown Sugar Fig Sauce on top of each cupcake, allowing the sauce and figs to drip down the sides. Fill a piping bag equipped with a star tip with the Honey Goat Cheese Frosting, and pipe stars on the top of each cupcake. Sprinkle the tops of the cupcakes with the Parmesan.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the brown sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the figs, butter, and orange zest, and heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the goat cheese, cream cheese, and butter on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, and gradually add the powdered sugar until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Add the honey and beat until incorporated.

ELEGANT CHEESE AND FRUIT PLATTER

Steps:

• On large serving platter, arrange cheeses in center. Cover; let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes.
• Arrange fresh fruit in groups around cheeses. Sprinkle dried apricots and cherries over cheeses and fruit. Tuck rosemary sprigs among fruit.
• To serve, provide cheese planes for harder cheeses and cheese spreaders for soft cheeses. If desired, serve cheeses and fruit with crackers.

IT'S MY PARTY CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Arrange the cheese, crackers & fruit on a serving platter.
• Special Tip: Plan on 2 oz. of cheese, 1/2 cup of fruit & a serving of crakers per person.

FALL CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, mix all chutney ingredients. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 1 hour, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and fruit is tender. Spoon into nonaluminum container. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
• Cut cheese with 1-, 1 1/2- and 2-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutters. Place cheese on medium platter, overlapping leaves. Sprinkle hazelnuts on platter to look like acorns. Serve with chutney and crackers.

FRUIT & CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Cut your cheese into small slices. I usually cut the block vertically then slice each half. Set aside. Cut your pomegrante in half. Start gently prying out the pomegrante seeds, they literally pop out. It's a tad messy and your hands will taint red for a minute or so, not to worry, it's not permanent!! ;-) Make sure you don't get any white pithe in the bowl your adding the seeds to. The pithe is very bitter. **Note: since your already working on the first pomegrante, you might want to prepare a second one so you will have enough seeds to replenish the platter later**
• Place the the pomegrante seeds in the middle of your platter. Add your sliced cheese around the seeds. Then place the crackers ontop of the cheese closer to your seeds. Place a pretty litle spoon for scooping up the seeds. Sit back and enjoy the compliments!!